Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship by Tom Ryan is published by William Morrow. It tells the story of my adventures with Atticus M. Finch, a little dog of some distinction. You can also find our column in the NorthCountry News.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Following Atticus: The Book Trailer

14 comments:

Hi Tom and Atticus - We finally get to meet you at the Water Street Bookstore next Saturday! So looking forward to it. Even my parents are excited for me - they loved Following Atticus. My mother especially liked the Newburyport stories. Ellen

what a great video - I'm sure it's a great book too. not much surpasses the joy of unconditional love from a dog. I saw Atticus' story on Dogs 101 a few weekends ago (or maybe it was last weekend). He is so special and so are you!!

I found your blog from "blog of note" and had to come for a visit. What I found was a great read, a fun story and a desire to get your book and also get one for a good friend who is a dog lover and I know will enjoy this book too. Enjoyed the videos...have a great weekend.

Tom--This video, even after watching it numerous times, (before I read the book, after I read the book, and all the in between times I've felt like watching it-just because) still fills my heart with so much warmth, as much as the time before..and the time before that.......it can be felt, the love you have for/share with Atticus. I'll say it again, and again...You & Atticus are truly inspirational, as I'm sure everyone would agree.Have a fantastic night,Tina

Gently leading you back to yourself .... I suspect that many of your readers are motivated to look around and identify what can help them return to a path they may have begun many years ago, just as you did! To see how many of us are SO drawn to Atticus, so appreciative of his serenity and touched by his clear friendship with you, shows how many of us are seeking to follow a guide like him! He is inspiring! But my heart repeatedly thanks you, Tom, for sharing such a personal journey; so many people wouldn't want to share those deep feelings and explorations, and so many wouldn't have the skill with words that you have! Heartwarming is EXACTLY what your adventure has been. thank you, again, Tom and Atticus!

I just finished reading your wonderful book, "Following Atticus." Thank you for writing it, and that doesn't begin to convey how I feel. Much of the second half of the book I read with stopping - I couldn't put it down. It's a terrific story about a remarkable, plucky little dog and how you both affected each other. He's a special dog for sure and your 'special dog.' I'll tell you what I mean by that.

Many years ago, I had a female German Shepherd, Frieda. She was a one-person dog, mine, and nothing could change that. Over the years she was taken care of by a very compassionate vet, a true dog lover. The vet told me about when he was stationed in San Antonio while in the army. In the evenings he would take his dogs, he had a few (!), to the countryside for walks. He struck up a friendship with a old man who also walked his dogs each evening. The old man said that someone can own dogs their whole life, and love them all, but only one and one only, is your 'special dog.' My vet understood what the old man was saying and later realized that one of his dogs at the time was his 'special dog.'

My Frieda got old and sick, and we spent more and more time with our vet. Soon, it was time to have her put down. That last visit was 20 years ago and still brings tears to my eyes. As usual, the vet spoke softly and never rushed. As he gently patted Frieda, she turned her head around and gave him one deliberate lick across the back of his hand. That was an enormous display of affection from her to someone whose presence she had barely even acknowledged over the years. The vet then took that opportunity to tell me his story of each dog lover's 'special dog.' When he was done, he looked me in the eye and said, 'Frieda is your special dog.' I knew he was right and realized I'd never have another one like her. Clearly, Atticus Maxwell Finch is your 'special dog.' Thanks for sharing your story with us.

Just stumbled across your blog from another hiking site's blogroll and your trailer for Following Atticus was the first thing I can across. It left quite a first impression! I look forward to following you're journey together.

Hi Tom and Atticus. Just finished reading your book. It was beautiful! The relationship you two share is amazing. I have a terrier too and we walk every day, not like you two do, but we share quiet time together. There is nothing like having a dog for your best friend!

Hi Tom..hi Atticus!I'm from a remote village in Italy and i just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart:your book touched me with its beauty and poetry in a crucial period of my life..What you did, and how you did it,is simply amazing..Thank you for your humility..

Dear Tom and Atticus,I read your book shortly after it came out, I think, in October. Since then, the magic of your story turned my life around. I cannot even describe how greatly it has impacted me. I was in despair without even realizing that. You opened my heart and everything that followed was just an amazing journey to being a much happier person. Thank you so much!Martina